The Decoy Princess (49 page)

Kavenlow’s eyes were sad. “It’s all right, Tess. This is where she feels most at home. The garden is duplicated at the convent. Except the statues there are of you.”

Surprised, I let myself be led in. My tension eased at the changes. The round table where my parents had died was gone.

Even the paving stones had been torn up, replaced with new plants too small for the space. I had been to my parents’ grave last night with Banner, explaining everything to them by torch and moonlight, asking for their forgiveness. If it were up to me, I’d consecrate the ground and let them rest among the laurels and ivy.

Kavenlow led me to a distant corner where the sun shone dappled through large potted trees. The princess sat with Thadd at a table, her long, fair hair falling freely to rest amongst their clasped hands as they discussed a topic known only to them. The sculptor had shoes now, and a new shirt. It looked tight, but I was willing to wager it was the only thing to be found on such short notice to fit him. Several aides stood nearby, following their practice of staying in the background. I waved my fingers at them and got happy smiles in return.

My pulse quickened as I found Jeck standing a small distance apart. Though his Misdev uniform was clean, he looked irate. He had on his gaudy monstrosity of a hat, making him look foolish despite his trim and powerful build. Too many guards stood by him. He wore no chains, but he had no sword, either. I touched my hip where a sword would hang, and he shrugged.

The princess looked up when Kavenlow cleared his throat. “Tess,” she called eagerly, and my heart ached at how much she sounded like our mother. “Come and sit. I’ve been waiting.”

“Good morning, Princess. I trust you slept well,” I said formally.

“Oh, don’t,” she almost moaned as she indicated a chair to her other side. “I am so sick of that I could throw my chamber pot out the window. Please talk normally to me? I can take it from me guards and such, but not you.”

I grinned and nodded in understanding as the aides shifted uncomfortably. And whereas I always had to bow to proper decorum, she had a capital-fine excuse to ignore it, being raised by wolves, so to speak. The next few months were going to be rather interesting as she met her neighbors. “Good morning, Contessa,” I amended. “Sleep well?”

Sighing in relief, she bobbed her head to look artlessly alluring.

Captain Jeck took a step forward to help me with my chair. The nearest guard half pulled his sword in response, and Jeck fell back in exasperation. Thadd got to his feet as Kavenlow helped me with my chair. All the men remained standing, Kavenlow pointedly putting himself between the princess and Captain Jeck.

“Thank you for coming to see me, Tess. I just don’t know what to do,” the princess said as she resettled herself, and I cringed inside at her admitting it where others could overhear. Maybe being a bumpkin princess might not be such a good idea.

Seeing my face, her eyes widened and she flushed. “I find myself in a somewhat tight spot, and I would like your advice,” she amended, making her words clear and precise. She managed a courtly accent, and I wondered if she had been practicing. “I can’t marry Prince Garrett. But if I remain husbandless, I remain an enticing target for the next Red Moon Prophesy assassin.”

The guards stiffened, and Kavenlow frowned. “That won’t happen, Princess,” he said.

“I would hope not,” she said tartly, then winced as she recognized she had misspoken again.

“Perhaps,” she added mildly. “But it’s something I need to consider.” Her blue eyes, so much like Father’s, were confused, and I felt a wash of pity. It was easier to die from a prophesy than live with it.

“I talked with Prince Garrett this morning,” she said. “The man is completely insane. There’s not a breath of reason in him.”

Kavenlow eased back a step. “I’m pleased you have agreed to begin a dialog with King Edmund’s youngest son,” he said to Contessa.

The princess’s gaze on mine faltered as Thadd took a pained-sounding breath. “It is my duty to wed.

I understand that,” she whispered.

Jeck stepped forward. A guard reached out and pulled him back. Giving him a black look, Captain Jeck brushed the man’s hand from him. “I believe you will find Prince Alexander to be an equitable match, Princess. May I be blunt?” He hesitated, then at her solemn nod, he added, “Prince Alexander has refused to consider taking a wife since he became fond of a commoner woman. Until now his father hasn’t cared. That’s going to change. I would wager Prince Alexander won’t be opposed to a royal joining if he was allowed to, ah, bring his mistress with him.”

Contessa stiffened, spots of color appearing on her sun-starved cheeks. “Have a courtesan under my roof?” she said loudly. “Eating my food? Bedding my husband?”

I put a hand to my forehead and closed my eyes in a strength-gathering blink. Did the woman lack even a hint of polish? She sounded like a fishwife who had caught her husband pinching the tavern barmaid.

“Your
legal
husband, Your Highness,” Jeck said, amusement hinted behind his carefully blank face.

“It would leave you free to find your own company.”

Contessa bit her lip, and I vowed to never do the same again. It made her look like a girl. The blush that rose to turn her face red didn’t make her look any more mature either.

“It’s done more often than not, Princess,” Kavenlow offered in a low voice. “It’s a lucky few who marry for love, even among the meanest of your streets.”

Her eyes were on her clasped hands, ignoring Thadd’s distress. “I would like to meet Prince Alexander,” she said hesitantly. “I will have a letter for him when Prince Garrett returns to Misdev.”

“Of course,” Kavenlow said, easing back in relief. “I’ll see to the travel arrangements myself. Is next week too late for your liking? I would see the palace secure before I go.”

“Go!” I exclaimed. I was the only one in the room who would dare interrupt either of them, and I was going to take full advantage of it. “You can’t go.”

Kavenlow’s eyebrows rose in warning. “Someone has to accompany them to be sure they reach their borders safely, Tess.”

“Yes,” the princess said. “I agree. But you, Chancellor Kavenlow, will be staying here.”

Kavenlow froze. I thought it was in shock. I couldn’t be sure, since I had never seen the emotion on him before. “Princess?” he almost stammered.

Contessa smiled, turning herself into an angel that rivaled the surrounding statues. “The Chancellor’s place is in the palace with his books and ink, not running my errands. I’ll rely upon your advice, and I see no reason to change something that worked so well for my parents.” Grief furrowed her brow at the thought of them. “Tess will escort Captain Jeck and Prince Garrett to their holdings as my ambassador.”

My breath caught and my mouth dropped open.
Me
?

The princess was beaming. “Look, Thadd,” she said, gripping his arm and shifting in her seat in a pleased excitement. “Duncan was right. She can hardly wait.”

“But…” I stammered, thinking,
Duncan? Duncan had talked to her? The snake! The devious,
contriving, clever, wonderful, snake
! This was all a plot to get me out of the palace. “But I can’t!” I said, wanting to shout out I would. “I said I’d help you!”

“Oh, Tess,” she pleaded as she reached across the table with our mother’s grace and took my hands.

“Please be my ambassador. You’ll be my ears and eyes. You’ll carry my decisions and speak for me before kings and queens. You will have the courtesies and authority that you’re used to and will be treated with respect.” Her smile turned wry. “I imagine it will be like being the princess without the responsibilities.”

I looked at Kavenlow. His face was creased with irritation. Contessa drew my attention back as she gave my hands a squeeze. “Tell me you will accompany Captain Jeck and Prince Garrett back to Misdev?” she asked. “Take the king my regrets. Explain what happened, that we’re sorry, and would like to inquire as to the health of his son Alexander?” Her gaze flicked to Captain Jeck. Whispering, she added, “And when eyes aren’t on you, cast about for any hint of betrayal. You’re so suited for it, with your palace manners and,” she hesitated, her eyes flicking to my topknot, “unique abilities.”

Elated, I nodded. No walls. No doilies. New places to buy things. “Yes. Thank you, Contessa. I would be honored.”

A distant commotion from the halls brought the sentries to a bristle, but I brightened as I recognized Captain Borlett’s voice. He was here? He should be halfway to Lovrege by now.

“Leave me sitting in the hall all the morning while my flag is fastened to every last standard,” he said loudly, as yet unseen. “I have a thing or two to put in your princess’s ear I do, concerning the right and lawful property of a free man. That’s my flag. And I’ll not have anyone take it because it goes well with her burning hair.”

He turned the corner, escorted by two sentries. Bluster and bother had reddened his round face, and his frazzled beard was more scattered than usual. Eyes flashing, he took in the princess and the score of guards. His anger vanished, and he snatched his faded hat from his head. “Uh, Your Highness,” he said gruffly, his eyes fixed on her as he bobbed in an unaccustomed bow.

“Excuse my impertinence, ma’am. And I beg your pardon, but why is my flag waving from atop your tower?”

Contessa opened her mouth, and I leaned close. “You can’t talk to him until you’re introduced,” I prompted.

“Oh,” she murmured, clearly embarrassed. She turned to Thadd. “Please introduce us so I may address him,” she said, squaring her shoulders to find an air of formality.

Before Thadd could move, I rose. “I’ll do it,” I said. “I know Captain Borlett.”

“Tess?” The wrinkles about Captain Borlett’s eyes deepened as he recognized me. Hands outstretched in greeting, he stepped forward only to be blocked by the sentries.

“Leave him be,” I said irately. “Not everyone is trying to kill me.” I pushed the sentries aside and took his hands, beaming into his startled eyes. I could smell the sea on him, and I breathed it in like a balm.

“Captain, you have no idea how good it is to see you again. But I thought you were going to Lovrege.”

Captain Borlett shifted his gaze from the princess to me, his eyes lingering on my red hair and my black eye. “I had to deliver my books before I was beached. But what are you doing here? Was it you who put up my flag?”

I grinned. “I think it was a member of my old court. I’m sorry. It was an accident. She found it in my things, and knowing I would recognize it, had the city put it up to show their belief that I didn’t run away.”

He bobbed his head in understanding, then he paused. “Your parents,” he said. “That would mean…”

His eyes grew wide and his fingers gripped his hat all the tighter. “The burning princess did my books. I made the burning princess sleep on my floor. Oh, Your Highness. If you would have said anything…”

Delighted at his fluster, I took his elbow and led him forward. “Princess Contessa of Costenopolie, I would be honored to introduce you to Captain Borlett of the
Sandpiper
. It was because of his fast ship and skillful reading of the wind that I was able to reach you before, ah,” I glanced at Jeck, “anyone else,”

I finished.

Captain Borlett shifted his work-stained hat from one hand to another. “Your Highness. Forgive my harsh words earlier concerning my paltry flag. If you want it, I’ll find another.”

The princess glanced at me, and at my subtle prompting, she extended her hand.

“Take it,” I whispered to Captain Borlett, and he jumped to do so. I fought to keep from rolling my eyes. I had never seen such a backward court. Not one of them knew what to do.

“A pleasure to meet you, Captain,” the princess said. “I’m sure we can convince everyone to take your flag down once they see Tess beside me where she belongs.”

Captain Borlett fidgeted as he let go of her hand. “It’s only a bit of cloth, Your Highness.”

I made a subtle gesture with my fingers, and the guards dropped back from him. Contessa saw the motion, and I smiled when she repeated the motion as if memorizing it.

“Perhaps you can help me,” she said, keeping her pronunciation slow and precise, “being from the docks as you are. I have just asked Tess to be my ambassador. Unfortunately, it’s a new position and lacks a few essentials. She is going to need a fast ship. One with a low draft to manage the rivers. It strikes me that the
Sandpiper
—”

“I’ll do it,” he interrupted, then reddened for his impertinence. My heart leapt. A ship of my own, to sail as I wanted. “That is if I can buy my backers out, and the princess—ah—your sister here…” His brow furrowed as he glanced at me. “Uh, Tess agrees,” he said. “We weren’t very gentlemanly. My crew, I mean. Tess and I, though, had a fine evening of cards.”

I didn’t look at Kavenlow, but I saw his stance turn disapproving.

“Then it’s settled,” Contessa said, clearly pleased. “I’ll buy your backers out. The
Sandpiper
will be the ambassador’s boat. My chancellor will see to your retaining fee, Captain.”

I beamed at Kavenlow—a boat of my very own!—and he frowned, looking as eager as the time I told him I wanted to climb a cliff to catch my own peregrine chick.

The princess leaned close to Thadd. “How long until we have to go?” she whispered.

He glanced at one of her statues and the light falling on it. “A little over three hours,” he said, starting to rise. “I’ll see that the coach is ready.”

She touched his arm, and he stopped. Head tilted confidently, she made a slight hand gesture, and the sentry closest to the door vanished, his place taken by another.
Chu
, I thought, both pleased and worried at how fast she was picking this up.

“Time enough to tell Prince Garrett of his return home,” she said. “Or at least try to.”

Captain Borlett shifted from foot to foot. “Ma’am, uh, Your Highness?” he stammered. “If it’s all the same to you, I should get back to my boat before my men start setting the ships afire that have my flag flying from them.”